Is summer finally over

It seems strange to be saying this with Xmas just around the corner but summer finally appears to be over. Having spent the last months in little more than shorts and t-shirts we had a rude awakening this week with near freezing overnight temperatures and rather fresh days. The sun is still shining, but with teeth rattling winds from the North it means the shorts have been retired and with a pending trip to the UK are unlikely to re-appear in the immediate future.
Are the cooler temperatures down to Global warming or is it just that we are well into winter who knows, maybe its just that having experienced such fine weather to date, it would seem that we had not appreciated just how late into the year we really are. It goes to prove that you really can sail in this part of Spain year round and despite the cooler temperatures we are currently experiencing the days are still rather pleasant - albeit you need a few extra layers.
So once Xmas is over and done with, why not try something new and join our Day Skipper navigation courses which will be running throughout February and March. By the end of March we are expecting the shorts to re-appear and it is the perfect time to get afloat and learn new skills in time for Spring and Summer 2014.
To find out more about learning to sail in Spain or improving existing skills, please contact us or post a reply on the blog.
It may have turned chilly but temperatures are still far more pleasant than most British Summers...

Don´t miss out - Competent Crew or Day Skipper week

We have one space remaining on our sail training week commencing 31st August. Learn to sail or improve skills on or Competent Crew or Day Skipper week. Enjoy sailing in the Spanish Sun and return home with a tan before the European winter takes hold. Experience sailing as it should be in a warm climate with crystal clear waters, take in the Costas Calida and Blanca as we explore whilst learning, so don´t miss out and give Debbie a call on 0034 695 326184 to find out more or contact us using the form on the main webpage www.go-n-sail.com

Tidal Sailing courses

Learn to sail with our Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses starting in Ayamonte on the Spanish Portuguese border. Explore the Algarve and Day Skippers can test their navigation skills as we sail along the coast and spend a night at anchor in the lagoon area around Faro, providing a quality pilotage experience as we look for a spot to drop the hook. We chose this area for its ability to provide navigational and tidal challenges - so far we have not been dissapointed, perfect for giving you all the necessary skills to become a competent sailor. Courses start every Saturday evening at 18.00 hours, fly into Faro and join us for a great week sailing in the Sun!

Sailing quotes

The trickiest part of a voyage or cruise may turn out to be the short leg between any harbour entrance and dock, both on the way in and the way out - Carleton Mitchell

There is clearly a deeper emotional meaning to this quote but from a practical point of view at go-n-sail we can help take away the tricky part by improving your boat handling skills. Get the know-how on our Day Skipper sail training weeks and gain confidence around the marina.

So often we hear stories of the perfect day out going wrong at the last minute normally as the boat approaches the berth and the Skipper turns into Captain Bligh. Fortunately the cause of this sudden increase in blood pressure is purely down to lack of planning, ability and basic skills. So the condition is cureable.

Only you can overcome the phenomena known as berthing fever, but on our courses we are with you every step of the way.

Click here to find out more about boat handling courses and available dates

Last chance sailing

We have 1 space remaining on an RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper course starting on the 1st July. This will be the last sail training course before our summer charter break, missed out on the course, don't worry you can still afloat with our 3 hour sailing trips from Mazarron.
1 space remaining so call Debbie and reserve your place.
Gain RYA qualifications and get afloat in time for summer on our learn to sail week, this special week is available at the great value price of 550€. For more information please call Debbie on 0034 695 326 184 or cheap call from the UK 0872 4260837, so take advantage of low cost airlines flying into Murcia San Javier and join us for a Fun and sunny week afloat.

RYA Courses in Isla Canela

Having arrived into a very windy Isla Canela, we had commited to help some friends in Barcelona so El Rubicon was safely tied up in her new berth and allowed to rest for a week. Having arrived back last night the wind is still blowing with gusto and the week ahead is looking very interesting, we are looking forward to exploring this great new area and cannot wait to slip the lines tomorrow as we start our Tidal sailing courses. The plan is to head up the Guadiana river having negotiated the bar and explore the river before spending the night in Ayamonte with possibly a few tapas ashore, then it will be onto the Portuguese coast to sniff out those special little anchorages every sailor dreams about, whilst we are there, we will also be testing our navigation and pilotage skills and sail up to Faro. If you are interested in RYA sailing courses either as a novice starting with Competent Crew, as a potential Day Skipper looking to take command of your first charge or perhaps those with previous experience can rise to the more challenging levels of Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster. Whatever your level we have a course that will test and improve your skill and confidence levels. So dont miss out, come and explore this wonderful area with us and gain RYA qualification at the same time, it may be windy but the sun is still shining!

Competent Crew and Day Skipper Courses

Our great value RYA sailing courses will be available in Isla Canela from the 8th April. Learn to sail with our Competent Crew course or Day Skipper can complete Tidal courses from our new base, chosen for its ability to provide navigational and tidal challenges, perfect for giving you all the necessary skills to become a competent sailor. Courses start every Sunday, fly into Faro and join us for a great week sailing in the Sun!

Electronic Navigation

Talking to fellow sailors and students, it is worrying that there appears to be an over reliance on technology. With the accuracy of modern GPS its hard not to rely on it but when I hear of people running aground in areas clearly marked on the charts as shallow, I have to question the logic in putting your confidence (and lives) in the hands of the little electric box. Surely common sense and your own eyes should at least prompt you to double check your position if the shoreline appears closer than it should, even if the gadget tells you, you are fine.
Passage planning and basic navigation should form the backbones of any trip, regardless of where you are and the distance you intend to travel. Solas regulations also require us to record our trip .i.e. fill in the ships log. The answer is simple, plan and monitor your outings on the water, pre-plan, identify hazards, set a safe depth and make regularly entries in the log. Whilst you there, pop a mark on the papre chart and look around to confirm that you are seeing what you should be.
If its been a while since you practiced traditional navigation skills, brush up with a 2 day Basic Navigation or 5 day Day/Coastal Skipper shorebased theory courses. Navigation is like any skill, no matter how competent you were, if you don't practice frequently those skills will slip away. Enjoy the challenges of seamanship and arrive safely at your destination, I am not saying throw the GPS away, but get back into the habit of using depth contours, 3 point fix and landmarks to help you on your way. With a little extra attention and effort we can all stay safe on the water and enjoy letting those everyday stresses slip away. Who know's you may even enjoy the challenges of using the traditional techniques.

Tidal sailing courses

You can now take your Day and Coastal Skipper courses in tidal waters with Mar Menor Sea School. Courses start in April from our new base in Isla Canela, fly into Faro and the yacht is less than 60 km away. Day Skippers can get to grips with navigation, pilotage and boat handling in tidal marinas. Coastal Skippers will find the nearby estuaries challenging and there is plenty of opportunity to practice blind pilotage and eye-ball navigation. For novices the Competent Crew course can be taken in either tidal or non-tidal waters.  When starting out there is normally enough to take in without worrying about running aground or which way the tide is running.

Ladies only sailing

There are few sailing schools that offer Ladies the chance to sail only with other females, the thinking is that many females would like to try sailing but find it daunting to be on a yacht for 5 days with a group of strange men. The training will be exactly the same but you can learn on the company of other females ensuring that any snide comments and toilet seat issues will be left strictly dockside.
RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper certificates are issued on successful completion of the 5 days and a fun time is expected, so come along and join Debbie for a great weeks sailing and the opportunity to meet new friends.
The first of these weeks is planned for the 15th-20th May